WHO’S TAKING CARE OF THE LOLAS?
PANTAY, LGBTQIA+ student org raise funds for the Golden Gays Manila
Afundraiser for The Home for the Golden Gays, a non-profit organization that provides support and care facility for the homeless gays age 60 and above, was launched by the Philippine AntiDiscrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY), a youth network that advocates the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill in the House of Representatives of the Philippines and the Senate of the Philippines, together with Benilde Hive (BHive), the pioneering LGBTQIA+ organization of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Known as the Golden Gays Manila, it was established in 1975 by Filipino newspaper columnist and LGBTQIA+ rights activist Justo C. Justo. His passing in 2012 led to the forced closure of the foundation. Majority of the original members with no families have rented a small apartment, while others with limited resources live on the streets.
Prior to the lockdown, the Lolas (grandmothers), conducted monthly drag shows and community outreach programs to generate funding from corporate and private donors for groceries and healthcare expenses. Some have sidelined street vendors and mangangalakals (junk traders).
Last month’s project, called Golden Christmas for the Golden Gays, raised funds to grant the simple wish list of the Lolas, such as single bedrolls, electric fans, groceries, to include rice, canned goods, and multivitamins.
PANTAY and BHive have also hosted a series of campaigns, capacity-building programs, and workshops and initiated connections with suppliers to help the Golden Gays achieve their dream of a T-shirt printing business.
PANTAY is comprised of diverse youth organizations from all over the country, including student councils, academic organizations, schoolbased political parties, plus community groups, socio-civic formations, and national alliances. Composed of LGBTQIA+, they are likewise aided by straight allies and human rights advocates, all united in a collective aspiration to fight for equality, dignity, and respect to all Filipinos regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
BHive aims to inform and educate, change perspectives, advocate for equality, and fight against misconceptions and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+
community. The association strives to raise awareness of human rights and promote inclusivity in Benilde, as well as the rest of the Philippines.
Prior to the lockdown, the Lolas (grandmothers) conducted monthly drag shows and community outreach programs to generate funding from corporate and private donors for groceries and healthcare expenses.